PCCA Journal|4
th
Quarter 2012
35
T
he Occupational Safety and Health Administra-
tion (OSHA) has enhanced its variances web-
page to improve public understanding of the
variance approval process and increase access
to the agency’s decisions on variance requests.
The page now lists both denied and approved requests and
provides information to employers on submitting formal
requests for a variance from an OSHA workplace standard.
A variance is a regulatory action that permits an employer
to deviate from the requirements of an OSHA standard under
specified conditions. A variance does not provide an out-
right exemption from a standard, except in cases involving
national defense.
Employers can request a variance for many reasons,
including not being able to fully comply on time with a new
safety or health standard because of a shortage of person-
nel, materials, or equipment. Employers may prefer to use
methods, equipment, or facilities that they believe protect
workers as well as, or better than, OSHA standards. OSHA
may grant a variance to employers when they can prove that
their proposed methods, conditions, practices, operations,
or processes provide workplaces that are at least as safe and
healthful as the workplaces provided by the OSHA standards
from which they are seeking the variance.
Until recently, only approved variance cases were avail-
able on the webpage. The newly available information about
denied applications illustrates which requirements businesses
have failed to meet when applying for a variance. OSHA’s
variance webpage also provides background on variance
rules and instructions on how to apply for a variance. More
information about types of variances is available on OSHA’s
variance fact sheet.
OSHA Provides Expanded
Information on Variance Procedures
Phone:
(607) 775-4340
Fax:
(607) 775-2707
American Pipe & Plastics, Inc. is a
WBE (Women’s Business Enterprise)
Company Certified by WBENC
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AMDUCT
Power, Communication and Electrical Conduit
AMFO
Snap Clip Fiber Optic System
AMTEL
Telephone Conduit
AMCOM
Communication
AMELEC UL
Power, Communication and Electrical Conduit
Sweeps & Bends Couplings Conduit
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An Underground Leader.
American Pipe & Plastics
diverse product line of quality
PVC conduit and accessories is
manufactured to meet or exceed
standard industry specifications.
TRAIN everyone to use the equipment safely.
Your workers must understand the safe use of their equip-
ment and the use of any personal protection equipment
(PPE) needed. They also must be trained to recognize any
hazards associated with their work. They need to be taught
how to care for their equipment and their PPE.
Using these three simple steps can help prevent falls and
save lives.
For more information go to
.
Phillip Metcalf is the safety director for Trawick Construc-
tion, an award-winning infrastructure contractor with
projects across the United States.
Safety Watch
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